139 
THE REDDISH EGRET. 
Ardea rufescens, Gmel. 
PLATE CCOLXXI. — Adult and Young. 
While sailing towards the Florida Keys, my mind was agitated with anti- 
cipations of the delight I should experience in exploring a region whose 
productions were very imperfectly known. Often did I think of the Heron 
named after Titian Peale, by my learned friend the Prince of Musignano. 
Mr. Peale had procured only a single specimen, and in the winter season, 
but whether or not the species was abundant on the Keys of Florida 
remained to be discovered. No sooner had I been landed and formed an 
acquaintance with Mr. Eagan the pilot, who was well acquainted with the 
haunts of many of the birds of those islands, than I asked him respecting 
the various Herons which might be found there or on the shores of the 
mainland. Before answering me, he counted his fingers slowly, and then 
said that he could recollect only “ twelve sorts ;” “ but,” added he, “ these 
birds change their colour so curiously, that it is past wonder with me to 
believe that any one man could know them without watching them as I have 
done for many years.” I then inquired if I was in good time to procure all 
the sorts which he knew. He answered in the affirmative ; but felt some 
doubt as to my procuring the eggs of one kind at least, which breed earlier 
than the rest, and was pure white from the shell, and the largest of all. 
Thinking the species to which he alluded might be the Ardea alba of 
LiNNiEUS, I asked if it had long thread-like feathers over the tail during the 
breeding season. “ Oh no, Sir,” said he, “ it never has ; it is as tall as your- 
self, and when you see some on the wing, you will be pleased, for their 
wings are as large as those of the Brown Pelican. The one I guess you 
mean, mostly goes farther to the eastward to breed, along with a very small 
one, also always white, with the feathers over the tail as you say, and curled 
upwards. These are the only three sorts that are white.” I begged him to 
describe the colours of the others, which he did so well that I recognised 
ten species in all ; but the large white one, and another of a grey and purple 
colour, were unknown to me, and I told him so, stating at the same time 
how anxious I was to procure them if possible. “ If possible ! nothing in 
the world can be more easy, for if they have no eggs left, they have young 
